MCLEAN, VA-- Eight-in-ten (79%) Americans say that a family should be able to choose life support for an unconscious patient even if the doctor thinks the patient's quality of life is too low, according to the results of a new nationwide survey conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide.
Only 19% say the doctor should be able to withhold life support despite the family's wishes, while 2% don't know.
An even higher percentage, 85%, think life support should be provided when patients themselves request it, even if the doctor thinks the patient's quality of life is too low to merit life support. Only 14% say the doctor should be able to withhold life support in such cases, while 2% don't know. These results reflect a random sampling of 1,007 telephone interviews with adults 18 years of age or older living in the continental United States. The survey was conducted February 5 - 8, 1999, and is projectable to the entire population within +/- 3.08 percentage points in 95 out of 100 cases. The question wording as it was asked to respondents is detailed below: A seriously ill patient is unconscious and has never expressed a desire for or against life support should they require it, but their family wants life support for the patient. The doctor thinks that the patient's quality of life is too low to merit life support. Which of the following best describes your opinion ...
-- 79% The family member of the patient should be able to get life support
for their family.
-- 19% The doctor should be allowed to withhold life support from
the patient.
-- 2% Don't know/refused
A seriously ill patient has indicated that they want life support, but the doctor thinks the patient's quality of life is too low to merit life support. Which of the following best describes your opinion ...
-- 85% The patient should be able to get life support.
-- 14% The doctor should be allowed to withhold life support from the
patient.
-- 1% Don't know/refused
Wirthlin Worldwide is an international research firm headquartered in McLean, VA.
Article Provided By:
National Right to Life
Monday, February 22, 1999
Michele Arocha Allen (202) 626-8825
NRTLC@aol.com